Can perforator



Feb. 26, 1929.

s. H. SKINNER CAN PERFORA'IOR Filed April 5, 1928 INVENTOR ASZHSRL'HHW Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

' UNITED STATES SEWARD H. SKINNER, OF CALWA, CALIFORNIA.

CAN PERFORA'IOR.

Application filed April 3,

This invention relates to devices for per forating condensed milk cans and the like, and particularly represents modifications and improvements shown in my co-pending application for Patent Serial N 0. 257,603, filed February 28th, 1928.

In the previous device it was necessary to press against the handle provided on one end of the peritorator to cause one of the prongs or punches to be withdrawn from its opening in the can to enable the contents thereof to be poured out.

The principal object of the present invention is to avoid the need of thus manually manipulating the device after it is once in position relative to the can, by constructing the same so that when the can is tipped in a certain direction one of the prongs will automatically move clear of its opening, so that the contents of the can may be then poured out without interference of the prong. At the same time when the can is restored to its normal upright position the prong previously clear of its opening will again and automatically move to a closed position in said opening. v

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar charactersot rot erence indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a can showing my ii'nprovod pertorator in the position occupied when the can is upright.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the can tilted showing the position of the pertorator relative thereto.

Fig. 3 is a perspective elevation of the pertorator detached.

tet'erring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a relatively long rigid and flat vertical arm with parallel side edges. This arm is sharpened on its lower end as at 1 so as to "form a prong to readily puncture the top of the can 2.

The upper end of this arm is connected to or "formed integral with a rigid horizontal bar 3 which is formed adjacent its end opposite the arm 1 wit-h a fiat and preferably 1928. Serial N0. 267,013.

rounded pad 4. A short prong 5 depends from the outer end of the pad, and is spaced horizontally from the arm 1a lesser distance than the diameter of the can.

The outer edges of the members 1 and 3 adjacent their junction are beveled off as at 6 so that the diagonal width A of the implomcnt at that point is less than the width of the arm 1 and consequently of the opening made thereby. A short distance from the inner edge of the arm 1 isa short lug 7 which de pends from the member 3 to form a recess 8 between said arm and lug; the direct distance from the bottom of the lug to the beveled edge 6 being notless than the width of the arm 1, and consequently of the opening 9 made in the can by said arm.

In operation theimplement is disposed on the can so that the member 3 extends diametrally thereof and the arm is first pressed down into the top of the can to form the opening and until the lug 7 bears against the top. Pressure is then exerted on the pad 4 to cause the prong 5 to also puncture the can top ad jacent its opposite side to form the pouring or dispensing opening 10. The arm is sufiiciently long to extend nearly to the bottom of the can and this length with the accompanying weight is suflicient to cause the arm to act as a pendulum or counterweight, tending to maintain the member 3 in the same horizontal position even when the can is tilted so that the contents will be dispensed from the opening 10. As a result of this arrange ment and construction therefore, the prong 5 will clear the o 'iening 10 when the can is thus tilted, and the contents of said can may be dispensed therefrom without interference with said prong, the device as a whole rocking on the lug 7 an axis.

Since the arm 1 is flat it cannot turn in the can and when the latter is restored to its normal. upright position the prong 5 will. again of itself enter and close the opening 10.

The beveled edge 6 of the device not only enables this rocking movement to take place without causing the arm 1 to wedge in the opening, but causes a portion of such opening to be partly unoccupied when the can is tilted, so as to provide the necessary air vent prevent theproper reentering of the prong fi into its opening when the can was returned to its upright position.

From the foregoing description it will be 5 readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of H1116 invention as set forth herein.

Vhile this specification sets forth in detail thepresent and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail maybe-resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new andeusciul and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 31. A can perforator comprising a relatively long prong-arm to ,be depressed throughthe toplof a can and to then depend into the can, a short prongto be depressed intothe can at'a point opposite to the opening made by the arm, and a rigid member connecting said arm and prong; said rigid member terminating at and sloping down to the edge of thearm opposite to the prong.

2. A structure as in claim 1, with a'lug formed on said connecting ,means adjacent the arm to rest on top of the can and form a bearing about which the device may rock.

3. A can perforator comprising a relatively long prong-arm to be "depressed through the top of a can and to then depend connecting said arnian'd prong, the length and weight of the arm being such that it will tend to remain in a vertical position when the can is tilted in one direction.

4. A can perforator comprising a relatively long prong-arm to be depressed through the topof a can and to then depend into the ca'n, a shortprong t'obe depressed into the can at apoint opposite to the openingimadeiby the arm, and arigid member connecting said arm and prong, the'lengt'h and weight oithe being such that'it will tend to'reinain in a vertical positionwhen the can is tilted in one direction, and -1neans formed with the device forienabling the same to rock relative to the can when the'latter is thus tilted.

5. A can perforator comprising a rigid member to eifrtend across the top'of a can, prongs depending from the ends of said member, and means "formed with one of said prongs for exerting a pendulun'i action tending to maintain saidmember horizontal when the can is tilted whereby to cause the other prong to be moved out of itsincision in the can.

In testimony whereo'fl affix my signature.

SEVVARD l-I. S'KINN'ER. 

